Quick Answer: To cancel your Rabbit R1 preorder, send an email to their support team. We’ll walk you through, with some tips on what to say.

The tech world has been abuzz about AI devices this year, from Humane’s AI Pin to the Rabbit R1. It feels that both devices could have benefited from a little more R&D, as the reviews are anything but glowing.

But if the gloves were off for professional reviewers, that pales compared to the comments from early adopters using their devices. Let’s not forget that the Rabbit R1 is $199, a hefty chunk of anybody’s money.

From connectivity issues to the screen being corrupted with lines (or, in one unlucky user’s case, both), the Rabbit R1 doesn’t live up to its premium price and AI promises.

There’s hope if you preordered this device and haven’t received shipping details yet. You can cancel at any time before shipment, according to Rabbit. And, we really, really recommend you do.

While the Shopify storefront has one email to contact the company, the Redditors who tried that method say they were left waiting. Here’s how to get your money back without resorting to a chargeback.

Email Rabbit’s support team for your money back

According to Rabbit, sending an email to support@rabbit.tech with your order number will get you squared away. Multiple Redditors got their refunds after a few days while using this method.

We recommend staying sweet, simple, and courteously asking for a refund of your preorder, rather than adding some of the issues other users have encountered.

Canceling your preorder is enough of a message to Rabbit that maybe they should have let the device stew a little longer.

This device was all fluff and no substance, with a hastily rushed out physical brick that barely covers a thin slice of what it was promised to do.

Do your bank account a favor and cancel your preorder if you were one of the few that bought into the hype. There are better ways to burn two Benjamins.

Did you preorder the Rabbit R1? Do you have one and like it? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: You can use your PlayStation Portal from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection, however, it will always work best when connected to the same network as your PS5.

While it might be called the PlayStation Portal, thanks to its inability to natively play games without streaming from the PS5, there are certain restrictions on just how portable the device is. But can you use the PlayStation Portal away from home?

The PlayStation Portal doesn’t really offer much explanation of this when you purchase the device, which has led many to believe that you must be on the same network as your PlayStation 5 for the devices to work together.

While it is true that the PlayStation Portal will be more likely to provide a more stable connection if you’re connected to the same network as your PS5, it doesn’t mean that you have to be on the same network.

Making the PlayStation Portal portable…ish

On the PlayStation website, Sony recommends that for the best performance, the device should be connected to a network with upload and download speeds of at least 15 MB/s.

So, with that in mind, you may find that you have issues running the device from most hotel rooms, unless you are staying in one with particularly good Wi-Fi and you happen to be near the router.

That being said, it does say you need that for best performance. If you’re happy with a drop in quality and some potential connection disruptions, you can get away with using the device on a much slower connection.

If you’re looking to purchase the PlayStation Portal to take on trips with you, then you might find it hard to get a solid connection.

But if like me you just want to merge your three favorite pastimes; gaming, gardens, and beer, then the Portal has you covered, as long as your Wi-Fi does too.

Using a mobile hotspot

If you are somewhere where you can’t get a decent Wi-Fi connection, you could try using your phone as a mobile hotspot, depending on the network coverage of where you are.

Using a mobile hotspot can also be a great way of using the PlayStation Portal while in the car (as long as you’re not driving – no one wants you to play GTA V and operate a vehicle at the same time).

However, being in a vehicle, you may find that connection drops in and out, meaning you might need to keep reconnecting to your device when your signal returns.

When setting up your mobile hotspot, you might want to consider changing the band to 5 or 6 GHz, as this will offer the best performance possible, and ensure the smoothest connection.

After testing the PlayStation Portal via a mobile hotspot, I can confirm the device was able to connect to my PS5 through 4G and 5G connections, although it looked pretty terrible on a 4G connection.

How to remotely turn your PS5 on

The main issue, other than connectivity, is that your PS5 has to be powered on, something that the PlayStation Portal can’t do remotely.

Fear not, I’ve found a way around this! Instead of turning the console off, leave your PS5 in Rest Mode. If the console is off, you won’t be able to turn it back on remotely.

If the console is asleep, you can wake it remotely using the PlayStation portal by simply connecting the portal to the console.

I did, however, find that this didn’t always work. Sometimes the Portal would be able to wake the console, and I could enjoy some of my favorite PS5 exclusives, while other times the PlayStation Portal simply wouldn’t connect.

Have you been able to connect to your PS5 remotely via your PlayStation Portal? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: The Xbox Series X|S features tons of customizable parental control settings, enabling you to create a safe place for your kids to enjoy their game time. You can access them via your console’s settings, by navigating to Account > Family Settings > Manage Family Members.

You can’t beat a bit of good, clean fun, and introducing your kids to the wonderful world of gaming is a rite of passage.

However, with the amount of mature content liberally sprinkled into today’s games, you might want to take advantage of your Xbox Series X|S’s parental controls, to stop your younglings from seeing things they’re not supposed to.

Luckily, your Xbox Series X|S comes with some fairly robust parental control settings that can be tailored to your needs. Allowing you to put your virtual foot down, these controls can help you censor any content you feel isn’t age-appropriate, leaving your kids free to browse in safety, without you having to watch them like a hawk.

Getting started with Xbox family settings

With Xbox’s family settings, you have access to a suite of parental control options that put you firmly in the driver’s seat. You can set up a user account for your child, change the online and privacy settings, set limits on screen time, and restrict any online purchases as you see fit.

The first step is to log in to your Microsoft account (either on your console or on your computer) and set up a family group there.

Once you have logged in to your account page:

• Select the View your family option
• From there, select the Add a family member icon

You can add up to six members to your family (on your Microsoft account, that is. How many members you choose to add in real life is none of our business).

Each child or family member will need their own account to log into. So if you haven’t done so already, you’ll need to Create an account for each member. You will need to use a valid email address for each account addition.

When you have added an account for each of your offspring, you will see them listed on your Microsoft account homepage. There will be three dots to the right of every profile which you can click on to view any recent activity or change the profile picture.

Select the Go to Overview option to access the parental control options. But before you do so, you will first need to ensure your child has been added to your Xbox Series X|S console.

How to add your child to your Xbox Series X|S console

• Select the Settings menu from your Xbox Series X|S home screen
• Select Account > Family Settings
• Select Manage family members, choose the person you want to add, and then select Add to this Xbox console
• Enter the password for that account
• Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in to your own account to complete the process

Follow these simple steps to add your child/children to your Xbox console, and you will find that all the parental control options have now been activated.

How to manage parental controls on your Xbox Series X|S console

Once activated, you can manage most of the parental controls directly through your console. However, some additional features can be accessed independently via the Microsoft Family Safety App for iOS or Android, such as the ability to set screen time limits.

To access your Xbox Series X|S’s parental control settings, open the Settings menu from your home screen. Then select Account > Family Settings > Manage Family Members. Select the account you want to amend, and you’ll see a list of options to peruse.

These include the following:

• Access to content – this is where you can set age restrictions on content, including games and movies
• Web filtering – use this to set restrictions on what your child can and cannot access via the Xbox’s web browser.
• Privacy & online safety > message safety – use this if you want to filter (or block) any content from the Xbox internal messaging service
• Privacy & online safety > Xbox privacy – this is where you’ll find the rest of the parental control options

While using the Xbox privacy features, you can select from some default settings (child, teen, or adult) if you want to set things up quickly, or choose the View Details & customize option to get a bit more specific with the parental controls.

How to customize parental control settings on your Xbox Series X|S console

So what can be customized via this additional menu?

Well, it’s a fairly comprehensive list of things, actually. It covers many things you’ve probably already thought of, and a few which you may not have. Here are the options you can access from this sub-menu:

• Online status & history – allows you to restrict who can see that your child is online, and lets you keep tabs on the games they’ve been playing
• Profile – set restrictions on who can see your child’s real name and/or profile picture
• Friends & clubs – use this to select whether or not your child can add friends, or join other players or clubs when online
• Communication & multiplayer – set or limit access to multiplayer activity, and control the amount of freedom your child has with voice or text communication while online
• Game content – allow or disallow the sharing of screenshots
• Sharing outside of Xbox – set restrictions on content sharing on other platforms, such as social media
• Buy & download – allows you to set restrictions on what your child can buy and download through the Xbox

The advantages of setting parental controls on your Xbox Series X|S console

The main reason to set up parental controls on your Xbox Series X|S is peace of mind. With parental controls in force, you can set up a safe space for your children to enjoy their games without the worry of outside influences spoiling things.

It’s easy to adjust settings, as well. As your child gets a little older, you might want to relax some controls to give them a bit more freedom. This could include easing the restrictions on gaming titles or allowing them more latitude while online gaming with their pals.

And with a metric ton of fun, family-friendly titles available on Xbox Game Pass, the whole family can enjoy browsing content to stuff into their Xbox library.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: You can roll back Windows updates from the Control Panel, Startup Settings, System Restore, or by resetting your Windows to a freshly installed state.

Windows updates can sometimes create performance issues or prevent certain applications from running normally. If your computer is acting strange, the reason could be a Windows update.

For example, the notorious KB5030219 update, which caused crashing, slowdowns, and funky networking issues, among others. Thankfully, rolling back a Windows update is straightforward.

Some common issues caused by Windows updates are the taskbar not showing, hardware not being detected, and random blue screens. In rare cases, updates completely brick computers, leading to the loss of important data.

Most of the time, Windows updates provide a variety of improvements like security patches, drivers, and other features. However, some updates can still create issues on certain systems.

Before you take your computer to a repair center, try rolling back the Windows update.

How to roll back Windows updates on Windows 10

To roll back a Windows update on Windows 10, head into the Settings app.

• Click on Update & Security.
• Select View Update History.
• Highlight the most recent update and click on uninstall.
• Restart your computer to save the changes.

How to roll back Windows updates on Windows 11

The steps to roll back Windows updates are more streamlined on Windows 11 than Windows 10.

• Open Settings.
• Click on Updates.
• Then on Recovery.

In the Recovery section, there will be an option labeled Go Back which will launch a troubleshooter.

Roll back Windows updates without the taskbar

When a problematic Windows update installs, it may break the Start Menu and/or Taskbar, making it hard to access Windows Settings.

To roll back a Windows update without the taskbar, press Windows Key + I, the shortcut to open Settings. Then follow the steps we mentioned earlier.

To restart your computer without the taskbar, press CTRL + ALT + DELETE. Click the power icon at the bottom right on the lock screen and select Restart. When you restart your computer, the taskbar should be fixed.

You can also try forcing explorer.exe to open. To do that, press CTRL + ALT + DELETE to open Task Manager. Under File, select Run a New Task and type Explorer.exe.

When you press enter, the Windows user interface should appear, and you can open Update & Security to roll back the update. If that doesn’t work, try typing ms-settings:windowsupdate.

Roll back Windows updates when your PC doesn’t boot

If your computer won’t boot into Windows (or it’s stuck on the login screen), boot in safe mode to uninstall the most recent Windows update. There are a few ways to boot in safe mode, depending on where your computer freezes in the boot process.

From the lock screen, hold SHIFT and click on Power and Restart. When your computer restarts, the recovery options will appear. Select Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and then Startup Settings.

The computer will restart and you’ll be shown a list of startup options, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking. If your computer boots into Windows via safe mode, follow the previous steps to roll back the problematic Windows update.

What happens when your computer won’t even get to the lock screen?

In some cases, a Windows update can prevent your computer from booting to the lock screen. When that happens, you can force the recovery options to appear by manually shutting down the computer.

Turn your computer on, wait for the Windows logo to appear, and immediately press and hold the power button. When you turn your computer back on, the Troubleshooting options should appear.

How to use system restore

Windows will usually automatically create a restore point when a major update is installed on your device.

If you can’t figure out which Windows update is creating issues, using system restore could be the solution. A restore point will save your Windows system settings and files but it won’t remove your documents or settings.

If your computer is running booting into Windows, you can easily roll back an update by typing “Recovery” into the Start Menu and clicking on Open System Restore.

The wizard will show the most recent restore point as well as information about when the restore point was created. Progress through the wizard to roll back the Windows update.

On the off chance that a Windows update won’t let you boot into the operating system, you can access System Restore from the boot troubleshooter mentioned earlier.

The easiest way to access the boot troubleshooter is to force a shutdown in the middle of the boot process.

Reset your computer

If none of the above options can restore functionality on your device, the last resort is to reset your computer and restore everything to factory defaults.

Windows makes it easy to reset computers and there’s even an option to only restore Windows system files without removing personal files.

Like the other options, you can find the option to reset Windows either in Updates & Recovery or in the boot troubleshooter.

You can also reset your computer with a Windows 10 or Windows 11 recovery disk or thumb drive. Resetting your computer often improves performance because it clears out bugs and other issues. It can also help with faulty drivers.

Before you proceed, it’s a good idea to backup your important documents to an external drive or online storage.

It’s generally better to do a completely clean install of Windows because it has a better chance of clearing out the program that’s causing issues. That means all your files and programs will be removed.

How to disable automatic Windows updates

It’s not recommended to completely disable automatic Windows updates because they include security patches. Windows also doesn’t make it easy for people to disable Windows updates.

Most of the methods available online are only temporary and the updates will be enabled again once the system reboots. The best option at this moment is to pause Windows updates.

To pause Windows updates:

• Open Settings.
• Select Updates & Security.
• Click on Pause Updates for 7 Days.
• In the Advanced section, you can select a specific date to unpause updates. The maximum amount of time updates can be paused is 35 days.

So, now you know how to roll back Windows updates. It can be a bit of a hassle, but you’ll be up and running again in no time.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: To set up Steam Families, enroll in the Beta program (if needed), create your Family, invite members, share games with restrictions, and enjoy playing together. Be cautious about cheating to prevent bans and explore the improved parental controls for a safer gaming experience.

Steam Families is a new feature that improves Steam’s Family Sharing features. It provides new features like sharing game libraries and enhanced parental controls.

Besides the new features, Steam also added some much-needed quality-of-life improvements. Note that this won’t enable sharing of things like Game Pass if you have them working on your Steam Deck, but your Steam library is mostly fair game.

Let’s take a closer look.

What is Steam Families

Steam Families allows up to six people to share their games. Essentially, it pools together all of the games your family members own for any family member to play as they please.

The downside is you can’t play the same game on multiple accounts unless more than one person owns that game (more on that later).

One quick point to remember is that a Steam Family doesn’t necessarily have to consist of people related to you. It could be your friends or partner; there aren’t any specific requirements.

The members also don’t need to be in the same household, although that may change in the future.

How to use Steam Families

Enroll in the Beta program (if needed)

If you don’t see the option for Steam Families, it could be because it is only available on Steam’s Beta build.

To access the Beta on your account, open Steam, click on Settings, then on Interface. Locate the Beta Participation section and select Steam Families Beta from the list.

Restart Steam to download and apply the update.

Create a Steam Family

To create a Steam Family, open Steam settings and select the Family tab. You can create a Family with any name and change it whenever you want.

Click on Manage Steam Family to access the management tools, where you can invite members and view your Family’s game library.

Click on the Invite a Member button to add a new Family member and choose whether to invite as an Adult or Child. This gives you a level of content restrictions for age-appropriate games for younger users.

Restrictions on sharing games with Steam Families

You can share practically any game with Steam Families, with a few restrictions that you should know about. These are similar to the requirements for Steam Remote Play.

For starters, game developers can opt out of the feature, making their games only accessible to the account(s) that purchased the game.

Secondly, games that require third-party launchers are exempt from Steam Families. That includes most Ubisoft or EA titles. You will see a list of excluded games under the Library section.

Other than that, using Steam Families to share games is straightforward.

Once a Steam member joins your Steam family, any eligible games in their Steam library will be added to the Family Library. You can download and play any game in the Included Games section.

Steam Families is a better way to game share

Separate save games

Don’t worry; saves and progress are tied to your account and saved to the cloud. So, for example, if you play your friend’s copy of Cyberpunk 2077 through Steam Families, it won’t interfere with their save games.

It will be like starting the game from scratch on your account. In other words, you both can play the same copy of the game but use individual save files.

Sharing license keys

It’s important to understand how sharing license keys works. Let’s use Helldivers 2 as an example.

If one of your Family members bought Helldivers 2, you can play it through Steam Families on your account, but the original owner won’t be able to play it on their account. Only one person can play the game at a time.

In other words, you won’t be able to play together. To play together, there has to be more than two license keys in the Family. However, you can use someone else’s copy of Helldivers 2 if they’re not playing it.

So, if your Steam family has four members and two people bought Helldivers 2, there are two copies to share. The members who don’t have it can still play it as long as the original owners are not playing it.

This only applies to paid games. Any free-to-play Steam games will grant a license on the first play.

Play games even when online and in a different game

Previously, Steam Families allowed you to share games with family members, but you could only play shared games if the owner of the games was offline or not currently in a game.

That was a problem, as it would kick you out of whatever game you were playing if the Steam account owner decided they wanted to use their account.

Now, someone can play a game from your account while you can play a different game on the same account. You can also play the same game together if there are more than two license keys in the Family.

Cheating

Be careful. According to Steam’s policies, if anyone in your Family is caught cheating in a game, everyone in the Family Sharing plan will be banned. While this may seem strict, it’s designed to prevent people from abusing the system.

Parental controls

The new changes include improved parental controls, which provide some much-needed features.

Purchase requests

Now, Child accounts can request purchases from the family owner. Previously, child accounts could buy games with the payment information on file without parental approval. As you can imagine, that can lead to some surprise bills. Now, child accounts can request the Family leader to buy a game on their behalf.

Playtime

Another interesting feature is the option to track the game playtime. Under Family Management, you can see how many hours your Family members have spent on certain games.

Filter games

You can also filter inappropriate games from the Family Library. This makes it easier to control what your child is playing when you’re not around to supervise.

Steam Families improves on the existing sharing tools

Now you know how to use Steam Families to share games!

While Steam already allowed games to be shared with trusted family or friends, the new update brings a better way to play together.

The only question now is what to play first.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: To calibrate HDR in Windows, all you need is to run Microsoft’s Windows HDR Calibration app, and follow the steps. It only works on Windows 11, which might finally be a good reason to upgrade.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range technology, makes your viewing experience more realistic and immersive by deepening the contrast between light and dark sections of your display.

However, simply having an HDR-capable display isn’t enough. You need to know how to calibrate HDR in Windows to get the best results. 

The good news is that calibrating HDR in Windows is pretty simple, thanks to Microsoft’s Windows HDR Calibration tool.

This powerful tool is easy to use and features three test patterns to calibrate HDR-capable displays  – darkness, brightness, and color – to improve the viewing experience.

You may wonder why you need additional calibration if you have a certified HDR display. Well, you don’t. However, you can always use the tool to tweak and improve the viewing experience.

It’s worth mentioning that this won’t work in Windows 10, and with the operating system losing support in 2025, it’s time to upgrade anyway. That gives you access to other tools, too, like Voice Access, Quick Share, and Copilot.

How to calibrate HDR in Windows 11

The HDR calibration tool is available through the Microsoft Store and only works for Windows 11 – 22H2 and 21H2. If you’re still on Windows 10, it is time to upgrade.

After completing these steps, HDR content on Windows should look improved. However, if your setup includes multiple monitors, you must do these steps for each one. 

Knowing how to calibrate HDR on Windows is important

Now you know how to calibrate HDR on Windows, so you get the best out of your monitor.

Even though you have an HDR-capable monitor, calibrating it can improve your viewing experience by properly adjusting brightness, contrast, and color settings.

The result is a more accurate representation of color, improved shadow, and a more realistic and immersive viewing experience.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: No, these consoles don’t need additional cooling because they’re already well-equipped. However, you can do things to prevent overheating.

Like people, machines can struggle to take care of their business when they’re feeling hot under the collar. Cooling them down effectively is essential to keep them ticking over.  

Sony’s PS5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S are no strangers to this. Both consoles have been known to overheat. But is additional cooling for the PS5 or Xbox really needed?

Naturally, both these gaming juggernauts come equipped with cooling fans that work overtime to keep the core temperature down. But, if you don’t maintain your console properly, your console could run into performance issues.

If you do experience any issues or notice your console is feeling a little too close to molten lava, there are some things you can do before kicking your PS5 or Xbox to the curb.

Check the vents

This is an obvious one, but dust build-up on the vents is one of the main causes of overheating, so it’s a good place to start.

If the vents are blocked with dust, guess what? The heat has no way of escaping and will continue to build up inside your console, whittling down its HP. 

Switch your console off and allow it to cool down. Take a microfiber cloth to the vents and wipe away any dust you find.

Allow your PS5 or Xbox to fully cool before attempting to switch it back on, and you may find this simple bit of maintenance has made a big difference. 

Move it to a well-ventilated area

The better you’re able to control the temperature around your console, the better the chance it’ll continue to work in a tip-top fashion.

Make sure it’s situated away from any other heat sources (radiators, etc.), and away from the path of direct sunlight. 

Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S work better in an upright position, as this helps to increase the air circulation running in and out of the console.

So if possible, resist the temptation to lie them flat inside a TV cabinet, as the cramped conditions won’t be a fun time for your favorite gaming buddy. 

Another top tip is to keep your console elevated off the floor, so it’s not standing or lying on a carpet. For one thing, this will help ease some of the stress on the fans, and for another, it’ll keep them away from the gross dust particles and pet hairs that love to live on your carpet.  

Clear the cache

If a general spring clean and a cool place to live aren’t stopping the overheating, it could be a software issue that’s causing the Venusian temperatures to build up inside your console. In this case, it might be time to clear the cache. 

This option won’t harm your console or wipe any of your saved data and is easy to navigate on both Xbox and PS5. Follow the steps below to clear the cache on your console of choice.

Clearing the cache on Xbox Series X/S

• Press the big old Xbox button in the center of your controller
• Select Settings
• Then select Devices and Connections > Blu-Ray
• Finally, select Persistent Storage followed by Clear Persistent Storage

Clearing the cache on PlayStation 5

• Ensure your PS5 is switched off
• Press and hold the power button until you hear a beep
• Make sure your DualSense controller is connected to the USB cable
• Press the PS button on the controller
• On-screen, navigate through the available options until you get to Clear Cache and Rebuild Database. Select this option
• Then, select the option to Clear System Software Cache
• Select OK

Regardless of which console you’re using, clearing the cache can be a good way to help improve the overall performance.

Clearing the cache removes temporary files and data from your console, which may have become corrupted over time. 

Temporary files such as these have been known to cause several gameplay issues, such as screen freeze, connectivity issues, or prolonged load times.

By clearing out the cache, you’re streamlining your console and should see a noticeable improvement in its stability and performance as a result. 

Perform a factory reset 

If none of the tips above have worked and your console is still overheating with the power of a thousand suns, your last chance saloon is to perform a factory reset. This is a hard refresh that will delete all your user data and remove your console’s system data, and should be used as a last resort. 

Fair warning, this option will completely remove all your personalized data and settings from your console, essentially reverting it to the default factory settings.

It is therefore highly recommended that you back up all your saved data first, either to the manufacturer’s cloud storage or to a separate USB drive (or drives).

Once you have double and triple-checked that all your game data has been safely backed up, you’re ready to initiate the factory reset. 

How to reset your Xbox Series X/S

• Press the Xbox button
• Select Profile and System > Settings
• Select System > Console Info > Reset Console 
• Select Reset and remove everything to wipe everything from your console, including games, apps, and saved data, to restore it to factory settings
• Alternatively, select Reset and keep my games and apps as a less drastic option that resets the OS and deletes any potentially corrupted data, without deleting your games or apps (recommended in the first instance). 

How to reset your PS5

• Navigate to the Settings menu from the main dashboard
• Open up the System section and select System Software
• Select Reset Options from here
• Select Reset the Console to delete everything from your PS5 and restore it to factory settings

There is another option to Restore Default Settings, but this only removes any changes you have made to the console’s default settings and is not the hard refresh you’re looking for. 

Your console still keeps overheating

You’ve tried everything, including prayer, but it’s just not responding to any of the treatments. It may be time to put it out of its misery, switch the machine off forever, and let it drift peacefully away to console heaven. 

You had some good times together. Good times that you’ll never forget. Like the first time you took on Starscourge Radhan in Elden Ring or that time you booted up Diablo IV, warped to Kyovashad, and then realized no one else was playing anymore.  

Treasure the memories. Consider a small, yet intimate burial service in the backyard. That way, you can visit the grave and remember the good times you shared. It’s better to burn out than to fade away, after all. 

Once you’ve paid your respects, you’ll want to get online and order yourself a replacement ASAP, as there are far too many good games coming out this year to miss out on!  

Is your Xbox Series X|S or PS5 overheating? Did the tips in this article help? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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• Xbox Series X not reading discs? Here’s how to fix it
• How to get Xbox Game Pass on the Steam Deck

Quick Answer: Try power cycling your TV and router, moving the router closer, disconnecting other devices, using a wired connection, resetting the TV, or contacting Hisense support for assistance. These steps can help resolve connectivity issues and get your TV back online.

Wi-Fi connectivity on your Hisense smart TV allows you to connect to the internet and enjoy various apps, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, Alexa, and more.

You can also control your TV with a smartphone or tablet if you have the Hisense RemoteNow app installed.

So, if your Hisense TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi, you will miss out on all these great features. So, how do you fix this? Surprisingly, it’s easier than you think, and we’ll show you why and how.

If you have a few minutes to spare, we’ll walk you through getting your Hisense TV connected to your Wi-Fi and internet. Let’s roll up our sleeves and jump right to it.

How to Fix Hisense TV that Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi/internet

There can be a few reasons your Hisense TV doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi. It could be a problem with your Wi-Fi network, Hisense TV software/firmware, or even your router.

Here are some of the solutions we’ll cover in this guide:

• Power Cycle Your TV & Router
• Check the Wi-Fi network
• Move the router closer
• Disconnecting other devices from the router
• Use a wired internet connection
• Reset Hisense TV

Follow these troubleshooting steps until you can connect your Hisense TV to the internet again. Let’s start with the easiest fix.

Power Cycle Your TV & Router

Sometimes, all you need to do is power cycle your TV and router. This will reset the connection and hopefully fix any minor glitches preventing a connection.

To power cycle your Hisense TV:

• Unplug your Hisense TV from the power outlet.
• Wait 30 seconds.
• Plug your TV back in and turn it on.

To power cycle your router, follow the same steps. Once your TV and router are powered on, try connecting to Wi-Fi again and see if it works.

Any luck? Alright, let’s move on to the next step.

Check the Wi-Fi network

You need to figure out whether the problem is your Wi-Fi network or Hisense TV.

An easy way to do this is to see if any other devices in your home can connect to the Wi-Fi network. If they can connect and access the internet, the issue is most likely with your TV.

READ MORE: How to connect a Sony smart TV to Wi-Fi

However, if none of your devices successfully connect, there may be an issue with your router or modem. In this case, you need to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi network.

Move the router closer

The further away your TV is from the router, the weaker the signal.

So, if there are any walls or obstacles between the two devices, it could be causing the connection issues.

READ MORE: How to turn on Hisense TV without a remote?

Try to position the router as close to your TV as possible and see if that helps.

Try disconnecting other devices from the router

If you have multiple devices connecting to the same Wi-Fi network, it can cause interference and connection problems.

Moreover, some tasks use more bandwidth than others. For example, streaming HD video requires more bandwidth than browsing the internet.

So, if you are trying to connect your Hisense TV to Wi-Fi while someone else is streaming video on another device, it could be why your TV can’t connect.

Try disconnecting other devices from the router and see if that works.

Use a wired internet connection

Most Hisense TVs come with an ethernet port that you can use to connect to the internet. Try using a wired connection and see if that works.

To set up a wired connection, you will need an Ethernet cable and a router with an Ethernet port. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the port on the back of your TV and the other end into the router.

If this turns out to be the solution, your Hisense TV’s Wi-Fi adaptor may be defective, and you might need to replace it.

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04/02/2024 07:29 am GMT

Reset Hisense TV

This should be your last resort, as it will delete all the data on your TV, including any custom settings you have made. But if none of the previous steps worked, you may have to reset your TV to factory settings.

Luckily, most Hisense TVs come with a reset button, which you can find at the back of your TV and labeled simply as ‘Reset‘.

Follow these steps to hard reset your Hisense TV:

1. Press the Power button located usually at the bottom to turn on the Hisense TV
2. Locate the reset button pinhole at the back of your TV.

3. Use a paperclip, toothpick, or a pen to press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds.
4. Keep pressing the button until the TV restarts.
5. Once the TV restarts, it will reset to its factory default settings.

Contact Hisense Support

Hisense offers excellent customer support, and they may be able to help you fix the issue if you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps to no avail.

If your TV is still under warranty, they can repair it or even replace it for you. So, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it. Hopefully, one of these solutions will connect your Hisense TV to Wi-Fi or the internet. If not, you may have to contact Hisense to see if they can suggest anything.

Most of the time, Wi-Fi connectivity issues with Hisense TVs are software-related and can be fixed by power cycling the device or resetting it to factory settings.

However, if you are unfortunate enough to have a broken Wi-Fi adaptor, don’t try to fix it on your own, as it voids the TV’s warranty. In this case, you need to contact Hisense support for help.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to reset a Hisense TV without a remote
• How to connect a Vizio sound bar to a Samsung TV
• How to fix Hisense TV noise?
• How to reset Vizio TV without remote?

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Quick Answer: Ensure your discs are clean and smudge-free, and change your Xbox settings to Energy-Saving Mode to make them as readable as possible.

If your Xbox Series X isn’t playing ball, you can try a few simple things to get those discs spinning and get yourself back in the game.

Has your Xbox Series X unexpectedly hit the pause button on your game time? If your console is struggling to read your game discs and is locking you out of the action, here are some simple tips and tricks that could boost your Xbox’s disc reading literacy levels.

Make sure your discs are properly aligned

Let’s get this one out of the way first. It may seem too obvious to bother mentioning, but you may kick yourself if you’ve not been aligning your discs correctly.

The Xbox Series X is as comfortable standing upright as it is lying on its side. If you favor standing your console in the upright position, you may inadvertently be putting the game disc in the wrong way around (don’t come at me, absent-mindedness affects us all from time to time!).

If your Xbox is standing upright, ensure the game label is facing to the left when inserting the disc, with the shiny side facing to the right.

Assuming you’ve been correctly aligning your discs before pushing them in (we never doubted you for a second, btw), the root cause probably lies elsewhere.

Ensure your Xbox Series X discs are squeaky clean

There are things in life that we probably all wish could be a little dirtier, but a game disc is not one of them. If your game discs are dirty, smudged, or scratched, this will affect your console’s ability to read them.

Dirty game discs can be gently and effectively cleaned with a soft microfiber cloth, to remove grubby fingerprints or specks of dirt. Cleaning your discs in a circular motion will minimize the chances of scratching the surface, and should shine them up a treat.

If your disc looks grubbier than Leatherface after a day at the abattoir, you can try using some rubbing alcohol to add a bit of extra elbow grease.

However, you should avoid using harsh chemicals, as this will damage the disc.

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03/26/2024 06:04 pm GMT

Change your Xbox Series X settings to Energy Saving Mode

If you’ve made your Xbox Series X discs lovely and shiny, you’ve been inserting them the right way round, and your Xbox is still struggling to read them, a quick trip to the Settings menu could sort things out.

Your Xbox Series X console has two power modes, Sleep Mode and Shutdown (Energy Saving Mode), which can be accessed via the Settings menu. According to Xbox Support, the settings for Sleep Mode can render a minority of Xbox consoles unable to read discs.

Therefore, it’s worth checking whether your console is set to Sleep Mode. If so, you may want to consider using the Xbox Energy Saving Mode instead.

Switching your Xbox Series X to Energy Saving Mode

Switching your Xbox from Sleep Mode to Energy Saving Mode is nice and easy, and can be done thusly:

• Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller to open the options menu
• Select Profile & System > Settings > General > Power Options
• Select Shut-Down (Energy Saving) Mode
• Reset your console by holding down the Xbox button. Once it has powered off, switch it back on using the Xbox button
• Try loading your game disc again

Consider sending your Xbox Series X for repair

If you’ve tried all of the above and you still haven’t had any luck, it may be time to send your Series X off to be repaired.

Before you do so, check out the Xbox support page and make sure you have exhausted the available options. Once you’re satisfied that no other stones have been left unturned, it’s time to refer to the experts.

Contact Xbox Support to check your device’s warranty status and to register a service order request to diagnose and hopefully fix the problem.

Keep those discs on ice, and get ready to make up for lost time once that precious cargo is returned to you.

Is your Xbox able to read discs now? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to get Xbox Game Pass on the Steam Deck
• What is Xbox Wireless? Everything you need to know
• How to use Xbox energy-saving mode
• How to use AirPods on Xbox Series X, S, or Xbox One

Quick Answer: Your PS5 has been designed with effective cooling, but being mindful of airflow and debris build-up can help maintain a steady airflow, allowing the components to keep cool.

Is your PS5 overheating? As game consoles are released, they utilize increasingly powerful components to offer better features, high-fidelity visuals, and superior graphics.

But, with more powerful hardware comes more heat, and while it’s something Sony took into account when designing the PS5, you might still find your console overheating and need to take steps to stop it.

Give your PS5 room

While Sony equipped the PS5 with a sizable 120mm fan that does a great job of dissipating heat. Like any high-quality computer, it still needs decent airflow to maintain ideal operating temperatures.

While it might be tempting to squeeze your PlayStation 5 into a smaller space to save room, Sony recommends leaving around four inches of space for optimal airflow.

You might also be tempted to place your PS5 console in an enclosed cabinet, and while it might offer ample room, the closed space wouldn’t be ideal for airflow.

If you want to stop your PS5 overheating and make sure it performs the best it can, keep your console out in the open, with plenty of space to draw in air from all directions.

It’s also worth noting that many gamers have reported a slight decrease in their PS5 core temperatures from having their consoles standing vertically, rather than laying it down.

Keep your PS5 clean

Another issue that is known to cause the PS5 to overheat is dust and debris. Just like any computer, as dust and debris build up on the fans and on the components, it reduces airflow.

Of course, reduced airflow causes overheating issues, which then causes components to throttle themselves in an attempt to restore normal working temperatures.

To clean your PS5:

• Gently lift the corner with the PS logo and slide the cover downwards
• Use an anti-static brush to gently brush the fan and intake vents (along the side)
• Use compressed air to remove any lingering dust and debris

You can take this further and physically remove the fan from the PS5 for further cleaning, but this is much more advanced, and more often than not, overkill.

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03/19/2024 02:46 pm GMT

Replace the PS5’s thermal paste

The PS5 uses liquid metal, a compound with high thermal conductivity that is designed to move the heat from the processor to the heatsink, which is then dissipated via the CPU fan.

Unlike traditional thermal paste, which should be replaced every one to two years, liquid metal has a shelf life of around three years, giving you some extra time before needing to replace it.

You should only replace your PS5’s liquid metal if you are confident in doing so. Liquid metal is electrically conductive, which means any spillage could damage your console beyond repair.

Instead, take your PS5 to a professional. They will be able to assess the current state of your PS5’s cooling, as well as let you know if you need to have your liquid metal replaced or not.

Update your PS5

Sony often releases performance updates that can help optimize games, thus causing less strain on the console’s hardware, as well as introducing new updates that affect the console’s hardware, such as the fans’ behavior.

While keeping your PS5 up-to-date isn’t guaranteed to help thermal performance, it only takes a few minutes to update your PS5, which makes it worth doing if it can help even just a little.

PS5 overheating FAQs

Have you managed to stop your PS5 from overheating? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• New leak reveals PlayStation 5 Slim launch date for the US
• How to use AirPods on PS5, PS4, or PS3
• Best PlayStation 5 accessories (2024)

Quick Answer: There’s no native way to utilize Xbox Game Pass on the Steam Deck. But for now, you can use Microsoft Edge as a workaround to play your favorite Xbox games on your Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming device capable of playing the majority of your Steam library on the go.

But, what if you want the Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck? This is where things get a little more complicated and, at times, tedious.

Unlike the Asus ROG Ally, which is able to run the Xbox app natively, thanks to Windows 11, the Steam Deck, which runs Linux-powered SteamOS, requires much more patience.

Running Game Pass on Steam Deck wouldn’t be as complicated with a physical keyboard. The virtual keyboard is quite fiddly, making the process more time-consuming. So, if you have a keyboard to hand, I’d definitely recommend using it.

Install Microsoft Edge on your Steam Deck

Before you can play Xbox games on your Steam Deck, you will need to switch your Steam Deck over to Desktop mode and install Microsoft Edge.

To switch to Desktop mode:

• Press and hold the power button
• Select Switch to Desktop
• From the desktop, you will need to locate Discover (located at the bottom left of your screen)
• Search for Microsoft Edge by either heading to the Web Browsers tab or using the search bar.

If you use the search bar, you will need to press the Steam button and X to open the virtual keyboard and type.

Add Microsoft Edge to your Steam library

To add Microsoft Edge to your Steam library, you will need to open Steam in desktop mode, of which you should have a shortcut on your Steam Deck‘s desktop.

Once in Steam:

• Click Add a Game on the bottom right of the screen
• Click Add a Non-Steam Game
• Locate Microsoft Edge and click Add Selected Programs.

Launch Konsole

Next, you need to open up Konsole. This might sound like a mode in Mortal Kombat 11, but disappointingly it’s just the SteamOS’s terminal, no arse kicking for you here I’m afraid.

To find Konsole, simply press the Application Launcher button, which is the one on the bottom left in the shape of the Steam Deck logo. Then use the search bar to find Konsole.

Once Konsole is open, press the Steam button and X to open the keyboard, and type in the following command.

flatpak --user override --filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge

Annoyingly, you can’t simply copy and paste the above code into Konsole, trust me, I tried multiple ways, yet I couldn’t find a way to make it play ball.

Update MS Edge’s launch parameters

For the final step, you need to head back to Steam while still in the Steam Deck‘s Desktop mode. Head on over to your Steam library and locate Microsoft Edge.

Right-click (left trigger) on Microsoft Edge in Steam and click on properties. From here you will need to head to Launch Options, and navigate to the very end of the current text, which should look something like this:

@@u @@

Leave a single space at the end and add the following code:

--window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk "https://www.xbox.com/play"

Unlike the code you entered into Konsole, this code can be copied and pasted, making it easier to make sure there are no mistakes.

Simply open up this article in Edge or Chrome on your Steam Deck, highlight the above text, and select copy.

Head back to the launch parameters, make sure you are at the end of the current text, leave a single space, and press the paste button on the virtual keyboard.

If you’re worried about making a mistake, you can always copy the current launch parameters into a document, letting you go back to them if you make a mistake when copying across the changes.

Using Game Pass on Steam Deck

You now have the Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck.

All you need to do is head on over to your library, launch Microsoft Edge, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming app will open, letting you enjoy all your favorite Xbox games on your Steam Deck.

However, you will need to have an Xbox account, which you will need to log in to from your Steam Deck, and you will also need an Xbox Game Pass Subscription.

You might notice that some PC games are missing from the library. If you’re used to playing on Xbox Game Pass for PC, this is because the app uses the standard Game Pass.

Sadly, if you want to enjoy Xbox Game Pass for PC titles, you would need to install Windows on your Steam Deck.

Improving your Game Pass on Steam Deck experience

You’re ready to enjoy some Xbox gaming on your Steam Deck now, but there are a few little tips and tricks that can make the experience just a little better.

Changing Microsoft Edge’s name

Changing the name of the shortcut is a simple change that can help prevent confusion later. If you’re planning on playing Xbox games, you might not think to look for the Microsoft Edge shortcut.

This can be resolved by simply changing the name to Xbox Game Pass.

To change Microsoft Edge’s name in your Steam library, all you need to do is right-click (left trigger) on the shortcut in your library and change the name at the top.

Change the banner art

If it’s called Xbox Game Pass and runs Xbox games, you might as well have it look official. Changing the logo and banner art isn’t something that’s needed, but why not make it look good?

First, you will need to download the Xbox logos from here. Once you have them, you need to get them onto your Steam Deck.

To do this you could download an app, use some code wizardry, or send them to a random friend on Steam, and then collect them from that message on your Steam Deck.

Letting your friend know why you’ve sent them random images is a completely optional step.

• Go to Steam on your Steam Deck and right-click on the images that you sent
• Choose copy image URL
• Paste the URL into Microsoft Edge while in Desktop mode, then right-click and download the images

Now you have the images downloaded, you need to set them in Steam:

• Locate the Xbox Game Pass shortcut and right-click on it
• To the left of the name, there’s an empty square box, click on that and you can upload the Xbox logo file

To upload the Xbox banner:

• Locate the shortcut and click on it
• Right-click on the empty banner above the play button and select set custom background
• Upload the Xbox banner you previously downloaded

Setup an Xbox Wireless Controller

With this being a workaround to get Xbox Game Pass on Steam Deck, it’s not always going to work flawlessly, and you might encounter some issues.

One of the best ways to minimize the chances of any issues is to add an Xbox controller via Bluetooth to your Steam Deck, an easy task that could reduce issues and improve gameplay, making it one of the best Steam Deck accessories for Xbox gamers.

If you’re playing in handheld mode, you might want to consider remapping your buttons instead, but if you’re happy to play in docked mode, or with a makeshift kickstand, the Xbox controller is the way to go.

To pair your Xbox controller with the Steam Deck:

• Press the Steam button and locate the settings button
• In settings you should find Bluetooth, click on this and make sure that Bluetooth is connected

• Press the button highlighted on the controller above (and ignore the mess on it from my child playing the Bluey game while eating pizza)

This button will make the controller discoverable, and you should see Xbox Controller listed as a device on the Bluetooth screen, simply click on it and they should pair.

If you now launch the game and head to the controller options, you should see that the Xbox controller has now taken over the Steam Deck‘s native controls.

Both the Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite 2 will show as Xbox Wireless Controller, which can get a little confusing if you’ve paired both types.

If you’re one of those people who like to use the term sheeple, talk about conspiracy theories, and generally laugh at the average person, you could always break the mold and pair a PS5 controller to use on the Xbox app.

You little rebel you!

A temporary fix

The method mentioned above is just a temporary method to getting Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck.

Microsoft has announced that they are working on a better way for gamers to enjoy playing their favorite games on the Steam Deck.

With that in mind, you might not want to take too much time focusing on personalizing the app, as hopefully, we should start to see a native way to play Game Pass on Steam Deck without needing a workaround soon.

Were you able to get Xbox Game Pass on your Steam Deck using the method above? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• What is Xbox Wireless? Everything you need to know
• How to use Xbox energy-saving mode
• How to use AirPods on Xbox Series X, S, or Xbox One
• Does the Xbox Series S support native 4K?

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But folks, it’s time to wave goodbye to those chaotic gaming woes. Microsoft served us an ace, simplifying how we view and manage our game inventory.

No more ripping out hair in frustration! This new method provides a much-needed chill pill for all the gaming organization maniacs out there.

How to view your Xbox library online

Thankfully, viewing your Xbox library isn’t as chaotic as it used to be. This simple trick allows anyone to view their Xbox library online, showcasing every digital Xbox game you have collected over the years.

Here’s how you can view your owned and accessible games:

1. Navigate to My Games and Apps: You’ll find this in the console menu, where the ‘Games’ tab shows what’s currently installed on your Xbox.

2. Explore the Full Library: It provides an overview of everything you own or can access via services like Xbox Game Pass or Games With Gold.

3. Look for the Small Arrow Symbol: If a game tile displays a small arrow symbol at the bottom corner, it means the game isn’t currently installed on your device. Clicking the title initiates the download, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing your favorite games.

That’s the new method for keeping tabs on your Xbox library. But what about your online purchases and digital history? There’s a way to check that too.

1. Go to Account.Microsoft.com: Start by logging in with the Microsoft account associated with your Xbox.
2. Explore Payment & Billing: Once logged in, navigate to ‘Payment & Billing’ on the top bar, then select ‘Order History.’

It’s worth noting that the Order History view isn’t searchable, but there are options to curate and navigate your list efficiently, especially if your history is extensive.

A limited history might be available here, but you can typically go back several years.

And there you have it—a more simplified and up-to-date method for viewing and managing your Xbox games. Game on!

Quick Answer: Your Xbox Series X|S has two power options; Shutdown (energy saving) and Sleep. Switching between them takes seconds and can be done through the General Settings option.

As technology advances and power-hungry technologies such as AI continue to grow, any small step we can take to reduce our carbon footprint is always welcomed.

The new Xbox energy-saving mode takes a big step towards helping gamers become more eco-friendly.

Microsoft now considers the Xbox to be the first ‘Carbon Aware’ games console, thanks to last year’s Xbox system update. This introduced a new low-power mode, as well as new options to customize the console’s power settings further.

How to find the Xbox energy-saving mode

Finding and turning on the new Xbox energy-saving mode is extremely straightforward. It only takes a few seconds to switch between the Xbox shutdown (energy saving) and sleep (full power) modes.

• Navigate to Settings (cog on home screen) > General.
• Select Power options, then Shutdown (energy saving) from the menu.

Once you are in the console’s power options, you will not only be able to switch between the standard and new power-saving modes, but also get an overview of how much power you are saving.

You can even make more advanced changes to your console’s power options.

Xbox’s energy-saving mode reduces the power consumption from 10-15W down to 0.5W, marking an impressive leap towards becoming an eco-friendly console, while also helping to save you money on your bills.

Does the Xbox energy-saving mode impact you?

Reducing the Xbox’s power consumption saves energy. In doing so, you’ll be pleased to know this doesn’t impact the console’s performance. It only has a minor impact on certain features.

When in energy-saving mode, the console will take around 20 seconds at most to fully boot up. Considering the impact on your household bills, it is a relatively small price to pay.

Features such as Quick Resume will still work as normal, letting you jump straight back into a game where you left off.

The only real downside is that games will no longer download when the console is turned off when running your Xbox in energy-saving mode. But, if you’ve got faster fiber internet, the chances are this won’t affect you.

You can use the Xbox’s Manage Updates screen to manually start game and app updates. This allows you to choose what games/apps you want to update and when.

I’ve personally been using the Xbox’s new energy-saving mode since it was released back in the start of 2023, and haven’t found it to cause any issues or inconvenience me in any way at all. And as someone with severe ADHD who wants things instantly, that’s a big seal of approval.

Customizing your Xbox’s power options

As well as using the Xbox energy-saving mode to reduce power consumption, there are also a few customizations you can make to push your energy savings further.

In the power options menu, select Customize power options, where you will see a list of other power-based options designed to help save even more energy.

• Turn off after (inactivity): This setting will let you choose how many minutes of inactivity the console will wait before shutting itself down.
• Turn of after (Music & video): This setting will let you choose how many hours of music or video will be played before the console turns itself off.
• Keep my console up to date: Updates consume power, both at the console and server. By turning this off, you can choose to download Xbox system updates at a time when renewable energy is more commonly used in your area.
• Keep my games and apps up to date: This setting will completely disable automatic updates for all your games and apps, letting you choose when you want to update them, and saving energy by not updating games that you have left installed, but are no longer playing.

The final customizable power options are the TV & A/V power options, which come with another set of features that let you control your console’s power state through other connected devices, and vice versa.

HDMI-CEC settings require a compatible HDMI cable and work in a very similar way to HDMI ARC, which is also used to connect devices in a similar way.

Have you used the Xbox’s energy-saving mode? Has it impacted you in any way? Let us know how you got on in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Why does my Xbox One keep turning off?
• How do I connect an Xbox controller to PC?
• Booting up your Xbox Series X|S just got a whole lot faster

Well, iOS 17.4 is here, with tweaks to autocorrect, and many other requested features.

This begs the question: How do you update your iPhone to iOS 17.4, and what do those updates do?

The smaller updates introduce new features that didn’t make it into the major release, as well as security patches and bug fixes.

Major updates, on the other hand, provide a comprehensive overhaul, transitioning your iOS from an older version to the latest one.

You can manually update iOS on your iPhone or let the iPhone do it automatically. The best way to keep your iPhone secure from attack is to keep it updated, so we’ll show you how.

How to update your iPhone

Pro Tip

While you’re still on the update menu, tap on Automatic Updates and make sure that both toggles next to Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates are green. By doing this, you’ll never have to update your iPhone again manually.

Now you’ve got your iPhone updated to the latest version, iOS 17.4, patching out those nasty vulnerabilities that could have let attackers get into your device and bringing all the latest features.

That wasn’t hard, was it? Are there any other iPhone tips and tricks you’d like to see? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: The PS5, PS4, and PS3, do not natively support AirPods. To use AirPods on PS5 you will need to either use your TV’s built-in Bluetooth or buy a USB Bluetooth transmitter. The only Bluetooth earbuds compatible with PS5 are specific Sony earbuds like the INZONE Buds.

Apple’s AirPods are some of the most popular wireless earbuds. If you find them as convenient as we do, you may be wondering whether you can connect your AirPods to your PS5 (or PS4 and PS3).

Despite being a next-gen console, the PS5 does not natively support Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. The Xbox Series X also doesn’t natively support AirPods, but there are workarounds to get your AirPods working with your PS5.

If you don’t like wearing a bulky headset, and you don’t want your TV’s audio shaking the foundation of your building while you’re significant other is sleeping, connecting your AirPods could be the solution.

While the Xbox Series X|S uses Xbox Wireless, the PS5 has built-in Bluetooth and has the option to search for nearby Bluetooth devices. PlayStation consoles can detect AirPods under Bluetooth accessories.

But there’s a problem.

When you attempt to connect to a Bluetooth audio device directly from your PS5, you will receive an error that reads “The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio accessories”.

On that note, certain Sony audio devices can connect to the PS5, PS4, and PS3 via Bluetooth. One notable example is Sony’s latest INZONE Buds. In other words, only other Sony products specifically designed for PS5 are compatible.

But we don’t give up that easily. There are still some ways to use AirPods on PS5. Bear in mind, these are not officially supported methods and you’ll likely experience audio delays or connection issues.

Use your TV’s Bluetooth

If your TV supports Bluetooth, you can pair your AirPods to your TV and redirect the PS5 audio to them. Using your TV’s built-in Bluetooth is the easiest way to connect your AirPods to your PS5 because it doesn’t require any third-party adapters or dongles.

Here’s how to pair AirPods to your TV:

1. Make sure your TV’s Bluetooth is turned on.
2. Put your AirPods into pairing mode by holding down the white button on the case until the light flashes (make sure the AirPods are in the case and the case is open).
3. Select your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices on your TV.
4. If needed, switch your TV’s audio output to Bluetooth.
5. Launch a game on your PS5 to test if the audio is coming through your AirPods.

While it’s pretty straightforward to connect your AirPods to your TV, it’s not without issues. For starters, there will likely be a significant audio delay. You can test this by watching a movie; the audio will be slightly out of sync with the film.

The input delay is usually between 100-300ms, or more, depending on your TV’s Bluetooth capabilities. So, while the audio delay might be acceptable for casual games, we wouldn’t recommend using this method for competitive games that require accurate 3D sound.

If your TV does not support Bluetooth (or you’re gaming on a monitor) there are other methods you can try.

Use a third-party Bluetooth dongle

Luckily, the PS5 makes it easy to use Bluetooth adapters. There are plenty of USB Bluetooth dongles that can transfer the PS5’s audio to your AirPods. These can be hit or miss, depending on the brand.

While there are many variations of these adapters, we recommend sticking to USB-powered dongles because they tend to be more reliable than 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitters.

One recommended product is Skull & Co’s USB-C Bluetooth transmitter. If you opt for a USB-C Bluetooth transmitter, you can use the front-facing USB-C port on your PS5 for the best wireless connection.

For the best experience, we recommend investing in a Bluetooth dongle that supports APTX, a low-latency audio codec for Bluetooth that significantly reduces audio delay. APTX is great for Bluetooth earbuds that support the CODEC because it greatly reduces latency.

How to use AirPods on PS5 with a Bluetooth dongle:

1. Insert the USB Bluetooth transmitter into an available USB port on your PS5.
2. Put your AirPods into pairing mode and place them near the PS5.
3. The two devices should automatically pair.
4. Test the audio with a game.

Bear in mind, that some USB Bluetooth transmitters have a dedicated button for the pairing function. The button makes it easier to troubleshoot Bluetooth connection issues. For instance, the transmitter might be attempting to pair with another nearby Bluetooth device.

Most Bluetooth transmitters work relatively well on the PS5, PS4, and PS3.

The downsides of using Bluetooth audio with PS5

Besides the possible latency issues (it varies depending on the adapter and AirPod generation), there are a few other downsides you should be aware of.

Most TVs will disable Game Mode when connected to a Bluetooth device. In other words, you might notice a bit of input lag from your TV when using Bluetooth. It’s especially frustrating when your TV introduces input lag on top of Bluetooth’s audio delay.

Another issue with these workarounds is you won’t be able to use your AirPods’ microphone or any other microphone for that matter. For that reason, it’s recommended not to use AirPods for competitive games like Warzone or Call of Duty.

Bear in mind, some Bluetooth adapters support the microphone feature or there may be one built-in to the adapter, but the quality is usually horrible. Your friends won’t appreciate it.

Alternative options

If these methods don’t work for you, the best alternative would be to invest in a pair of earbuds or a wireless headset that is officially supported by the PS5. For example, Sony’s INZONE Earbuds or the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset.

There’s a workaround, but it’s not flawless

So, it is possible to use AirPods with a PS5, PS4, and PS3. The problem is AirPods are not officially supported, meaning you won’t get the best audio experience.

You also have to sift through the sea of low-quality Bluetooth adapters until you find one that works as intended.

Quick answer: The Xbox Series X, S, or One doesn’t officially support Bluetooth audio. However, you can use AirPods (and other Bluetooth audio devices) by using your TV’s built-in Bluetooth or a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter for your Xbox controller.

Want to learn how to use AirPods on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One? Although AirPods aren’t officially supported, we can share a few workarounds.

These consoles unfortunately do not support Bluetooth audio. Instead, Microsoft uses its own technology known as Xbox Wireless. This is why it’s easy to pair an Xbox-supported headset with your console, but a little tricky to pair Bluetooth audio, like AirPods.

If you don’t want to use an Xbox headset, and would rather have the portability of using your AirPods with your Xbox, there are ways to achieve this.

Between using the Xbox app on your smartphone, using your TV’s Bluetooth, or purchasing an adapter, there are plenty of methods to use your AirPods on an Xbox console.

Use your TV’s built-in Bluetooth

If you have a Smart TV, there’s a good chance it supports Bluetooth. If you’re unsure, you can check your TV or monitor’s settings, or refer to the manual.

With this method, you can redirect the audio from your Xbox to your TV’s Bluetooth and then to your AirPods. So, to start, pair your TV with your AirPods. It’s the same method you would use to listen to your TV with Bluetooth headphones.

The exact steps to pair Bluetooth devices on TVs will vary depending on the model and operating system, but in most cases, you should be able to find the Bluetooth option in your TV’s settings.

When you put your AirPods in pairing mode, they should appear on your TV’s list of Bluetooth audio devices.

Here’s how to pair your TV to your AirPods to use with Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One:

1. Locate the Bluetooth option in your TV’s settings and enable it. Leave it on the Searching for Bluetooth devices page.
2. Open your AirPods case and hold the white button until the case’s light flashes white.
3. The AirPods should appear on your TV’s list of Bluetooth devices. Select them and connect. It may take a few moments to establish a connection.
4. Once your TV is paired to your AirPods, pick up your controller and see if the game audio is coming through the AirPods.
5. If the game audio comes through your TV’s built-in speakers, locate your TV’s audio settings and change the audio output to Bluetooth or AirPods.

While this method allows you to use AirPods with an Xbox console, there will be a noticeable audio delay.

That could throw you off your game, as the haptic feedback on your controller will be out of sync with the audio.

This isn’t ideal, but we have a couple of other options to try.

Use a 3.5mm Bluetooth dongle for Xbox controllers

Xbox controllers have a 3.5mm audio output port that can be used with headphones. If you have wired headphones, you can certainly use them with your controller.

However, another option for those who despise wires is a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter adapter for Xbox.

AudioBox Bluetooth Dongle for Xbox Controllers

$34.99

This handy dongle slots onto newer Xbox controllers, which have a 3.5mm audio jack, so that you can use Bluetooth headphones with your console. It's optimized for use with AirPods, and has an onboard mic for voice chat.

Check Availability

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03/06/2024 03:13 am GMT

These third-party adapters transfer the audio signal from the Xbox controller to Bluetooth, which any Bluetooth-enabled audio device, such as AirPods, can pick up.

The audio delay on these adapters should be much better than using your TV’s built-in Bluetooth. There’s always some delay with Bluetooth, but it should be acceptable.

Here’s how to use one:

1. Connect a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter to your Xbox controller.
2. Put the AirPods and Bluetooth transmitter in pairing mode.
3. Once paired, the Xbox audio should come through your AirPods.

One crucial point is you likely won’t be able to use your AirPods microphone with these adapters.

Some adapters have a built-in microphone, but the quality is usually sub-par. I recommend using these adapters only for game audio, not voice calls. Worst case, you can mute the microphone.

Transfer the audio to your phone with Remote Play

Another option to use AirPods on Xbox is to stream Xbox to your phone via Remote Play.

With this method, the audio delay isn’t as noticeable, but the connection could be severed when your phone locks its screen. The upside is that you don’t need to buy dongles, and audio delay is acceptable.

The idea is to use the Xbox app’s Remote Play feature, redirecting all the game audio to your phone. You can launch the Remote Play feature and leave your phone beside you.

When you launch Xbox Remote Play on your phone, you will see a message asking you to connect a controller. You can ignore that; you won’t be gaming on your phone.

Here are the steps:

1. Pair AirPods with your phone.
2. In your Xbox’s Settings, make sure Remote Play is enabled.
3. Launch the Xbox Remote Play app on your phone.
4. Select Remote Play and ignore the warning that mentions a controller is required.
5. Continue gaming on your TV.

How to use your AirPods for Xbox Party

When remote playing from your phone, the microphone on your AirPods will be disabled by default. While you may be able to hear other members of your Xbox Party Chat, they won’t hear you.

To unmute your AirPods microphone, tap the three dots in the top left corner, and select Unmute. Now your gaming buddies should be able to hear you. If they can’t hear you, leave the party and join again, or disable the microphone on the Bluetooth adapter.

Keep in mind, when using remote play it’s not possible to stream game audio and party chat audio at the same time. You have to choose one or the other.

Alternative options to using AirPods on Xbox

A better alternative is a wireless headset using Microsoft’s proprietary wireless technology, which delivers better audio quality without noticeable audio delay.

One headset we love is the SteelSeries Arctis 9X.

If you don’t want to invest in a new headset now, you can always use 3.5mm wired headphones with your Xbox Series X. While wires can be bothersome, it’s a good solution to keep noise to a minimum.

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Gaming Headset

4.0

$192.50

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X is a wireless gaming headset designed for Xbox, offering direct connectivity, Bluetooth pairing, superior noise cancellation, and an impressive 20+ hour battery life.

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

03/07/2024 09:42 am GMT

You can use your AirPods with your Xbox

Even though the Xbox Series X does not officially support AirPods, you can pair them with Xbox using third-party tools like your TV’s built-in Bluetooth or a 3.5mm Bluetooth adapter.

Remember that Bluetooth’s audio quality is significantly worse than other formats, and there’s always a noticeable delay.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: Yes, the Xbox Series S supports games at a native 4K, but only a few games are supported. The Xbox Series S does not have the hardware required to run triple-A games at 4K resolution.

There’s an age-old argument about whether the Xbox Series S supports native 4K or not. Some say the Series S support games at native 4K, while others say native 4K is out of the question.

To settle the debate, we’re going to dive deep and answer the question, “Does the Xbox Series S support native 4K?”.

As well as finding out whether the Xbox Series S supports native 4K, we’ll uncover whether any games can run at 4K, and the console’s upscaling capabilities.

Does the Xbox Series S support native 4K?

Short Answer: Yes.

To cut to the chase, yes, the Xbox Series S supports some games in “true” 4K. But these are few and far between. Natively, however, it doesn’t run in 4K, with the console’s default setting at 1440p.

The Xbox Series S was never marketed as a 4K-capable console since it doesn’t have the hardware required to run triple-A games at 4K resolution.

However, the Series S can output a 4K signal. If you connect your Xbox Series S to a 4K TV, and select the appropriate resolution on your console, games will be upscaled to 4K.

You can also stream 4K media on apps like Netflix and YouTube. If the media you want to stream has the UHD icon, then you’re good to go. The Series S also supports HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.

So, while a handful of games can run at native 4K on the Series S, the vast majority will not. Despite being more expensive, the Series S’s bigger brother, the Xbox Series X, is the go-to console for 4K gaming.

Xbox Series S overview

Let’s take a quick look under the hood. The Xbox Series S is often referred to as “the little brother” of the Xbox Series X. It’s a much smaller console than the Series X, but it supports most of the same features. The main difference is the Series S has less RAM and a weaker GPU. 

Resolution:

• Maximum resolution: 1440p
• Supported refresh rate: 120Hz

If your TV or monitor supports 1440p, the Xbox Series S can output a 1440p signal. Bear in mind, however, that the games won’t render at 1440p. The vast majority of games on the Xbox Series S render at 1080p or below while targeting 60 frames per second.

Here’s a quick look at the Xbox Series S specs:

• 512GB/1TB NVME SSD (expandable storage)
• 8x Zen 2 CPU 3.66 GHZ
• AMD Radeon RDNA 4 GPU (4 TFLOPS)
• 10GB of shared RAM

For a detailed breakdown, take a look at Microsoft’s official store.

Microsoft hasn’t publicly released the sales data for the Xbox Series consoles, but several documents suggest the Series S makes up around 70% of total Xbox sales. 

The Series S is a budget console, and it was readily available when other consoles were struggling with stock shortages. It’s the perfect entry-level system for most users.

How 4K works on the Xbox Series S

So we know that the Xbox Series S doesn’t natively run games in 4K, but it does support 4K streaming if you have a compatible 4K TV.

Many people assume that when they change the render resolution of their Xbox to 4K, every game will be set to a native 4K resolution. Unfortunately, the render resolution in the settings only changes the resolution of the Xbox user interface, not the games.

Although the Xbox Series X supports 4K at 120 FPS, not all games run with these settings. Most games use a variety of techniques to output a balance of image quality and performance. For example, some games run at a native 4K, 4K upscaled, adaptive resolution, or locked at a sub-4K resolution.

Most modern games will use adaptive resolution, which automatically decreases or increases the render resolution to meet the targeted frame rate. So, for example, a game might target 1080p, but the resolution could drop to 720p or even lower, in areas with a lot of assets.

Some games allow users to switch between Quality and Performance modes that favor certain settings. For instance, Quality usually renders the game at the maximum possible resolution, while sacrificing framerates, and Performance mode does the opposite. In most cases, Performance mode targets 60 FPS, and Quality mode targets 30 FPS. 

When 120 FPS is enabled, there’s usually a significant drop in image quality. Upscaling features like Fidelity Super Resolution (FSR) can be utilized by developers to further improve game performance. Technologies work behind the scenes to output steady frame rates with decent image quality. 

Games that run native 4K on the Xbox Series S

There are a small handful of games that run natively in 4K on the Series S:

• Hades
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• Mass Effect Legendary Collection
• Red Dead Redemption 1
• The Touryst
• Evil Dead: The Game
• Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition

While 4K is possible on the Series S, most developers choose not to utilize it because the console’s hardware isn’t powerful enough. The Series S targets 1440p but most games run at a native 1080p or lower, depending on the optimization. Having said that, the Xbox Series S can upscale games to 4K. When you connect a Xbox Series S to a 4K TV the image will automatically upscale.

Should you buy a 4K TV for the Xbox Series S?

It’s worth buying a 4K TV for your Xbox Series S. Even though the Series S doesn’t natively support 4K on most games, it supports other features like HDR and Dolby Vision.

To most, the result of playing the same game on the Series S vs Series X on a 4K TV will be hardly noticeable. Despite the Series S upscaling the image, the visuals are still an improvement over the Xbox One. And let’s not forget, you can also stream 4K media on the Series S.

Now you know the truth about Xbox Series S and 4K

The Xbox Series S doesn’t natively support 4K on most games. There is a small selection of games where the console does support 4K. But, due to hardware constraints, 1440p and below is the targeted resolution for the Series S. This is what it was designed to handle.

Either way, most people agree that games still look and run surprisingly well on the Series S. Of course, if image quality is important to you, then you should consider buying the Xbox Series X, which targets 4K and supports higher-resolution textures and assets.

Do you own an Xbox Series S? Have you played one of the games that run natively in 4K? Let us know how you got on in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Email is no longer a “reply as soon as you get this” sort of thing. I mean, it shouldn’t have been to begin with but try telling that to your boss.

That means you never really know if you should send that email now, or if you should wait to send it at a more appropriate time, which is why we’re going to show you how to schedule an email in Gmail and Outlook.

No one likes getting emails at 3AM, even if that’s the best time to send replies since it’s the only time of day where the oppressive heat isn’t affecting your brain.

Thankfully, you can schedule emails in most email clients, so you can write away at 3am, and schedule those replies to be sent at a normal hour.

We’re not going to tell you that this could also be a way to make your boss think you’re doing 9-to-5 instead of whenever the mood takes you but that’s very possible.

How to schedule an email in Gmail (browser)

Gmail makes scheduling your emails super easy. We’ll walk you through the process in two different ways. One is an interactive window like the one you see below. And the other is your traditional step-by-step listicile. Let’s get started. 

Alright, let’s run that back again.

1. Open up Gmail in your browser of choice, hit the Compose button and draft your email
2. Instead of clicking on the Send button, click on the Up Arrow next to it, and choose Schedule sendImage: KnowTechie
3. Pick from the preset scheduling options, or hit Pick date & time if you want a specific schedule you don’t seeImage: KnowTechie

That’s it, now Gmail will send it on your behalf at that time.

How to schedule emails in Gmail (mobile)

Gmail makes it easy in the mobile app too, and it’s the same if you’re on Android or iOS

1. Write your email, then tap the three dots at the top-rightImage: KnowTechie
2. Tap on Schedule send from the options (this will be at the bottom on iOS, and in a drop-down on Android)Image: KnowTechie
3. Choose one of the times Google suggests or pick your own time and dateImage: KnowTechie
4. On iOS, you then tap on Save at the top right, or Schedule send at the bottom-right on Android

That’ll stick the email into your Scheduled box, and you can edit it at any time before your scheduled time by tapping on it and selecting Cancel send. You’ll have to do the full scheduling routine again if you don’t want to send it immediately.

How to schedule emails in Outlook (desktop)

You can schedule emails really easily in Outlook, but you need to use the desktop app

1. Start a new message and click on Delay Delivery up on the tools ribbonImage: KnowTechie
2. On the Delivery Options section, make sure Do not deliver before is checked, and set the time and date you want the email to be sent out. Click on Close when you’re done, not the X in the top-rightImage: KnowTechie
3. The email will go into your Outbox once you hit send, and stay there until the time and date you set. You’ll be able to make changes before that sending time, including the sending time itself

Just remember that you’ll need to keep Outlook running for it to get sent as scheduled, otherwise Outlook will send it the first time you open the program again.

There you have it, a quick guide on how to schedule emails in the most popular email programs!

Do you schedule email in Gmail or Outlook? What benefits or drawbacks have you experienced with them? Let us know in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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UPDATE 02/24/2024: Spotify Live is no longer a feature in Spotify’s tool belt. The service fizzled out around April 2023. The decision to sunset Spotify Live came from the company’s belief that it no longer made sense to linger around as a stand-alone app.

In an effort to offer users more options, Spotify launched a live audio chatroom feature in 2021 called Spotify Live.

Looking to bank on the previous success of Clubhouse, Spotify’s option offers similar features. Previously called Greenroom, users can listen to or host live audio chatrooms.

At present, it seems like the Spotify Live app has mostly been forgotten about, but we’ll break down everything you need to know about the service below.

What is Spotify Live?

READ MORE: Spotify is preparing to take over the audiobook industry

As mentioned, Spotify Live is an audio chatroom platform.

There is a standalone app for iOS and Android that lets users create live chatrooms around topics that people can join and enter into the discussion.

Spotify also struck exclusive programming with its official launch. This includes creators like DJ Akademiks and Hasan Minhaj.

READ MORE: Spotify wants to share your listening habits in real-time

Spotify Live can be accessed from its standalone app or creators’ pages in the main app. However, because of this, discoverability is much easier in the standalone app.

How does Spotify Live work?

While you can listen to live shows from the main, you’ll have to use the Spotify Live standalone app to interact with the shows.

This means creating a separate account for Spotify Live when you load the app for the first time (you can link to your original Spotify account to make the process easier).

Once you are in the app, you can search and follow your favorite creators. There are also “Groups” that you can join to find live chats around specific topics.

READ MORE: What is Spotify’s ‘Only You’ feature, and how does it work?

On the front page, you’ll find the most popular chatrooms that are live at the moment, as well as a schedule for upcoming live programming.

You can join in on any chat you see by clicking the Join room banner in the chat. Conversely, you can head to Groups to find rooms with specific topics.

To create your own room, tap the green Create room button on the home page.

You will have a few decisions to make, such as the topic, whether or not there is a discussion room, and if you want the live room to be recorded.

And that’s all you need to know about the new Spotify Live app.

Spotify Live certainly exists

At present, it doesn’t seem like people have flocked to Spotify’s live audio option. Live audio chatrooms were all the rage during lockdowns, but that popularity has started to drop quickly.

Time will tell if Spotify continues to support Spotify Live or if it will eventually be phased out of the streaming giant’s future plans.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Quick Answer: If your Hisense TV is making a popping noise, it could be due to a faulty power supply, internal components, or external interference. To fix it, try unplugging the TV for a few minutes and check its connections. As a last resort, contact Hisense customer support for assistance.

Crackling, buzzing, or popping—these aren’t the sounds you signed up for when you chose a Hisense TV. What could be causing it?

Your Hisense TV could be making all sorts of noises for different reasons. It might be a low hum, a loud buzz, or even random clicking or popping sounds.

Sometimes, the noise might get so loud it disrupts your viewing experience, turning what should be a relaxing time into a test of patience.

The good news is that it can usually be fixed without having to call customer support or a technician.

READ MORE: How to fix a Hisense TV stuck on the logo screen (reboot loop)

Below, we’ve compiled a list of common causes and solutions to troubleshoot and eliminate those irritating sounds on your Hisense TVs. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Hisense TV Making Noise: 7 Quick Fixes

READ MORE: Hisense TV remote not working? 5 simple ways to fix it

Check all connections

Electrical feedback is often the culprit behind a TV making strange noises. So, the first thing you’ll want to do is check that all of your TV connections are secure.

This includes the HDMI, power, and any other cables that may be plugged into the back of your unit.

Upgrade your Hisense TV’s firmware

Sometimes, there are bugs in the firmware that could potentially cause noise issues. In most cases, these can be fixed by upgrading your television’s firmware to the latest version.

To do this, you’ll need to go to your TV’s support page on the Hisense website and download the appropriate software for your model.

Once it’s downloaded, follow the instructions on-screen to complete the installation process.

Inspect the internal speakers

If all of your connections are secure and you’ve updated your firmware, but you’re still hearing strange noises coming from your TV, the issue may be with the speakers themselves.

The best way to test this is to plug in a pair of headphones or external speakers and see if the sound quality improves. If it does, then you know that the problem lies with the speakers and not the TV itself.

READ MORE: Hisense TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi or internet? 5 easy ways to fix it

You can also mute the sound on your TV and see if the noise goes away. If it does, then it’s likely that the issue is with the connection. Unplug and firmly connect all cables to the TV, especially the HDMI cable (s).

Ensure the TV has good ventilation

Overheating can also be the cause of strange noises coming from your TV, as it can lead to the expansion of metal components, thus leading to cracking or popping noise.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that your television has good ventilation. This means that there should be no objects blocking the vents on the back or sides of the unit.

READ MORE: How to turn on Hisense TV without a remote?

Additionally, try to keep the TV away from heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators.

Also, make sure that the TV is not placed on an uneven surface, as this can block the vents and cause the TV to overheat.

Move other electronic devices away from the TV

If you have other electronic devices that are close to the television, it’s possible that they are causing interference.

Appliances like microwaves, hairdryers, and vacuum cleaners may produce unnecessary electrical interference when operating nearby.

To fix this, simply move any other devices away from the television. If the noise goes away, then you know that you’ve found the culprit.

Tweak the brightness of your Hisense TV

Sometimes, the capacitors supplying power to the Hisense TV’s backlight can make a high-pitched noise when the brightness is too high.

You can try turning down the display’s brightness or play with the backlight settings and see if that helps reduce or eliminate the noise.

Power cycle or factory reset your TV

Try power cycling or resetting your TV as a last resort. This will not delete any of your personal data or settings, but it will restart the television and potentially fix any software glitches that may be causing the noise issue.

To power cycle your TV, simply unplug it from the wall outlet and wait for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds have passed, plug the TV back in and turn it on.

If all else fails, resetting your TV back to its factory settings may be the best course of action. This will erase any customizations you’ve made to the device.

Wrapping up

Hopefully, one of the above solutions will help fix the noise issue on your Hisense TV. The noises from your Hisense TV are usually not a cause for concern and can be fixed with a few simple steps.

However, if you have tried all the fixes to no avail, we recommend contacting the Hisense support team for assistance.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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